
Last modified: 2022-10-14 by rob raeside
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 image located by Valentin Poposki, 21 March 2010
 
image located by Valentin Poposki, 21 March 2010See also:
The flag of the Town of Gambo, Newfoundland and Labrador, is white with town 
shield on it. I can't describe it, but 
you'll see it in the link below. Any description is welcome. Information and 
image of the crest thanks to Cynthia Paul, Admin Clerk.
About the town:
"Why is it called Gambo?
The name Gambo is believed to be a corruption of the 
Spanish or Portuguese name "Baie de las Gamas" (Bay of the Does), found on early 
maps of the area. It seems that the Gambo area has been a hunters' and 
fishermen's paradise for at least 500 years. The heritage of Gambo, lies in the 
logging and railway industries. In the winter of 1862-63, David Smallwood, 
grandfather of the late J.R. Smallwood, came to Gambo from P.E.I. and built a 
sawmill in Gambo. It was the first in Gambo and when it burned down, Mr. 
Smallwood proceeded to build the first steam-powered sawmill in Newfoundland on 
the Gambo River.
Shortly after, several mills began to spring up around 
the town in Gambo, Dark Cove and Middle Brook A tramway was constructed from the 
railway station in Gambo to the Mint Brook area and a community was formed along 
its route. The Murphy Hotel was built with hopes of attracting tourists and 
sportsmen, as well as serving as the station depot for the railway. When the 
forests around Mint Brook were devastated by the forest fires of the 1960s, most 
of the sawmills closed down. The railway became the main industry for the town 
and the residents of Mint Brook soon moved to Gambo. Gambo's population at that 
time was near to what it is today, approximately 2500.
The greatest pride 
of Gambo, however, is that of the grandson of David Smallwood, Joseph Roberts 
Smallwood. "Joey" was born in Mint Brook during the "Logging Boom" in 1900. 
While Joey did not reside in Gambo for very long, he always referred to Gambo as 
his hometown. Joseph R. launched his Confederation Campaign here at the 
Orangemen's Hall and the approval of the people was signified by an almost 
unanimous vote for him as a candidate to the National Convention, and later as 
the member to the House of Assembly. Joey may not have lived in Gambo for long, 
but his name will live on here forever." - from town's website:
http://townofgambo.com/community/default.aspx  
Official 
website: http://townofgambo.com 
Valentin Poposki, 21 March 2010